Indian-American Vivek Murthy Takes Oath as US Surgeon-General

 

Indian-American Vivek Murthy was today administered the oath for the top post of US Surgeon General by Vice President Joe Biden at a ceremonial ceremony in Fort Myer, becoming the youngest-ever in charge of the country's public health.

As the US Surgeon-General, Murthy carries the rank of Vice Admiral. The Health Secretary Sylvia Burwell also participated in the event.

In his first major policy speech, Dr Murthy vowed to improve the public health of the country. "Here's the thing: even as millions of Americans get covered through the Affordable Care Act, we still have much more to do," he said.

"Public health does not exist in a vacuum. It is intrinsically linked to education, employment, the environment and our economy. There is a whole world beyond hospital corridors and clinic waiting rooms where people are struggling with issues of transportation, housing and development," he said.